Community Pop-Up Markets

From our farm to your plate, here’s where you can find Urban Roots produce and support equity and access in the local, sustainable food movement.

Increasing Food Security Throughout the City of London

At Urban Roots London, our community pop-up markets began as a pilot project in partnership with the Crouch Neighbourhood Resource Centre during the 2021 growing season. The initiative was such a success that we expanded to three more community resource centres—LUSO, Glen Cairn, and NorthWest London—thanks to funding from United Way.

In 2023, we partnered with the Middlesex-London Health Unit’s (MLHU) Harvest Bucks program to further grow the project, engaging 8 community partners in the pop-up markets and now during our 2024 growing season, we have 12 community partners. These markets have become a vital part of our mission to increase food security across London. Since the project began, we have reached over 13,500 individuals and supported 5,000 families/households. We’ve hosted 206 pop-up markets throughout the city and distributed 32,975 pounds of locally-grown produce to those most in need.

The Harvest Bucks program purchases our produce at an affordable rate. We then distribute the produce to to various community partners hosting pop-up markets across the City of London that distribute our produce in low-income and historically marginalized neighbourhoods at no cost to those individuals and families. Applications to host a pop-up market go through the Harvest Bucks program where organizations can apply for a pop-up market in addition to Harvest Bucks vouchers and the Good Foodbox initiative. Like us, MLHU believes in fresh, locally grown, nutritious produce to create healthier, more food-secured cities. 1 in 6 individuals in Middlesex-London is facing food insecurity.

The basis of Urban Roots is built on the idea that everyone is deserving of high-quality, nutritious food. We believe there is dignity in food and having access and the ability to choose your food. Unfortunately, due to food insecurity, the dignity of choice is often not an option. It is important to Urban Roots that the organizations and individuals who receive our donations or affordable rates receive the same high quality and selection as our market rate/wholesale partners. To ensure populations experiencing barriers in our community can access our produce, we intentionally partner with organizations led by equity-deserving groups.

The pop-up markets are about so much more than just fresh produce—they’re about bringing the community together and breaking down barriers to accessing healthy, locally-grown produce. We’re committed to making sure everyone can enjoy nutritious food without having to prove their income status. The pop-up markets are designed to be fun and educational, with activities that promote food literacy and provide opportunities for the whole family to learn, connect, and enjoy! Whether you’re picking up fresh produce or taking part in hands-on learning, our pop-up markets are all about building a stronger, healthier community.